Business and human rights

The 3rd Session of an Inter-Governmental Working Group convened in October in Geneva, chaired by Guillaume Long. It is charged with elaborating an international legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and human rights. An interview.

The Legal Affairs Committee of the Swiss Parliament acknowledges that human rights violations perpetrated by Swiss based multinational companies are of great concern. It initiates a counter-proposal to the «Responsible Business Initiative».

Economic associations are opposed to the introduction of civil liability for business-related human rights violations and environmental degradation, as proposed under the Responsible Business Initiative; they point to National Contact Point.

It took the Swiss government four years to publish its National action plan how to put into practice the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Swiss coalition for corporate justice has analysed the document.

Making a profit while observing human rights – the two things can but need not go together. Yet they ought to. In his book, publicist and economist Markus Mugglin lays the groundwork for a much-needed debate.

On 10 October, the Responsible Business Initiative has been presented to the authorities. The 80 NGOs supporting the initiative share one common goal: Swiss quality must incorporate the protection of human rights and the environment.